Current diversion means



25, 1938. E s r AL I 2,1G6564 CURRENT DIVERS ION MEANS Filed Oct. 29, 1936 IN VEN TORS LEOIIAW E- FISH. L EIZOY .E. LUCAS A TTORNEY Patented Jan. 25, I938 CURRENT DIVERSION MEANS Leonard E. Fisk and Leroy E. Lucas, Topeka, Kans.

Application October 29, 1936, Serial No. 108,134

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in current diversion means for use in the control of stream flow.

The object of this invention is to provide a means for current diversion comprising the installation of a plurality of anchored obstacles in a manner arranged to reduce the velocity of stream flow and function to prevent erosion of banks and to induce the deposit of silt to further protect and repair the boundaries of a river.

These and other objects will hereinafter be more fully explained.

Referring to the drawing in which like characters apply to like parts in the difi'erent views:

The figure on the drawing is a schematic plan view illustrating the manner in which several strings of obstacles of a permeable nature are installed to protect and repair the condition of bank erosion shown.

The drawing illustrates a schematic plan view of the installation of several strings of obstacles of a permeable nature so placed that they will prevent further destruction of the confines of a stream at a highway crossing.

The highway 9 crosses the stream Ill over the bridge II.

The flow of the stream ID as indicated by the arrows has eroded the bank [2 from a point beginning at C to the point D adjacent the bridge abutment. The bank is destroyed in the shape of a semicircular out to the extent of E. The removal of the bank by erosion has approached the highway 9 and threatens the destruction of the highway grade at F. This situation has been in evidence in many places along the bank of ordinarily slow velocity streams having comparatively low banks and broad water courses. The present trend of modern highway construction with costly road surfacing and grading justifies the proper maintenance of the banks of adjacent streams. This invention provides a remedy for the condition illustrated by the installation of several strings of obstacles in the following manner:

A string or line of spaced obstacles l3 having the upstream end firmly anchored in the bank l2 near the point C and with the downstream end terminating near the point D. This string is designated as the maindeflector and provides the main line of diversion. This and other strings are indicated on the drawing by a line drawn through a series of dots or circles which represents the obstacles. Although the obstacles are preferably those of a permeable nature other types may be used either of a fabricated steel design or a series of pile jetties set in the bed of the stream in a similar line.

A plurality of strings of spaced obstacles l4 and I5, installed approximately parallel to the main deflector and at a distance upstream from the latter and spaced from each other in the direction of the stream flow, the line of each being at an angle to the stream flow. These are designated as primary deflectors and provide protection for the upstream end of the main line of diversion. In some instances the flow of the stream is such that the primary deflectors are not re- 1 quired.

A plurality of strings of spaced obstacles l6 and Il installed normal to the flow of the stream within the area C-E-D are anchored to the bank at one end between C and E and at the other end are each connected to the main deflector at G and H respectively. These are designated as secondary deflectors and provide further retardation or back-up of the main line of diversion.

The primary deflectors I4 and I5 serve to protect the bank adjacent to the point at C and reduce the velocity of the stream flow at the upstream portion of the main deflector IS.

The main deflector I3 reduces the stream Velocity along the line of the original bank and serves as a base line for silt deposit for the new bank line.

The secondary deflectors l6 and I! reduce still further the velocity of the stream within the area C-E--D and also reduce the backwash from the bank between E and D and function to build up and maintain a silt deposit.

The obstacles herein described and the manner in which they are installed provide an effective and economical means of controlling stream flow velocities and serve to protect and repair the condition of bank erosion illustrated and what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a main line and back up diversion of stream flow, a string of structural obstacles, said I string positioned in the bed of a stream on the area, a plurality of secondary deflector strings positioned within the eroded area and spaced from each other, a plurality of primary deflector strings spaced from each other and positioned near the upstream end of the main deflector string.

3. In a bank protective installation, a line of permeable jetties across the mouth of an eroded area, other lines of permeable jetties positioned within the area and spaced from each other and at an angle to the first said line.

4. A current diversion means, a means comprising a line of jetties extending substantially across the mouth of an eroded area, and a line of jetties extending from the first said line at an angle thereto and extending within the eroded area.

LEONARD E. FISK. LEROY E. LUCAS. 

